Linderhof

Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas

Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A December Ritual

A December ritual is the writing of thank you notes. Friends are always so generous to Husband Jim and I and a pile of presents from friends are always under the tree Christmas morning. Most are from far away friends and arrive by mail. That makes December even more exciting.

On the first day that we're home and alone after Christmas Day, I take my notes, my cards, tea and a treat (for treats abound) and spend the morning watching the birds and thanking dear friends for their thoughtfulness.

It's fun watching the birds (or squirrels) as we write our notes.

My new Christmas runner is on the breakfast room table as is the German pyramid. We're not one to rush taking Christmas down. For the Christmas season does not end the night of December 25!

But the beloved blue and white is now our daily china for we do retire the Christmas china on Christmas Day.

We like an assortment of note cards and are always looking for ones with tea or flower themes.

I always try to have a stash of note cards -- especially in December and sometimes we're gifted with note cards from dear friends. Each card and envelope is handwritten. No email notes from Linderhof!

There is never a shortage of sweets during the days after Christmas.

Writing thank yous is "hard work" and we need to be fortified and so Christmas treats and a pot of tea helps us from getting "peckish"!

We love these little mince pies and they seem so Christmasy!

Christmas mince pies make a great nosh so that we can keep our strength up!

It was a wonderful Christmas at Linderhof -- great food, great company and "Santa" brought everything we wished for and then some!

As this week slides into the weekend and New Year's Eve, we enjoy the laziness of this "tween" week (the week "between" Christmas and New Year's) and although there is the last of the Christmas parties this week and I'm also hosting a Christmas luncheon, it is still a laid back week as we end 2011.

9 comments:

I love your ritual of lettering writing... especially since it appears to be a dying custom. Sad. And I will admit I am one of the worst, choosing to make a thank you call. This is lovely and taken to heart.Happy New Year, friend.KarenLadybug Creek

Martha,In this day of technology....a hand written note is nearly a lost art. So wonderful that you and Jim take the art of writing and put it to verse as you thank those who have "gifted" you through their kindness. I, too, wrote a "few" thank you's this weekend.Fondly,Pat

Now, it seems we have the same tradition. I spent most of last night with coffee, treats ( abounding) writing thank-you notes to friends & family who were kind and thoughtful enough to give us gifts showing their love for us.

My mother taught myself & my sisters to write thank-yous, and I guess she started this tradition for us ,for every year, the day after Christmas, she would sit us down with paper and pens to write thank-yous to any & all who sent us gifts.I remember my sisters and i would groan with dismay and complain, but Mom made us write notes expressing out thankfulness.

Good for you. I hope this is not a dying art, expressing in writing our gratitude.